Amador Valley Dons lose in hockey final

Grizzlies break open tight game with two goals in third period

The Amador Valley and California hockey teams before the championship game at the Dublin Iceland rink last Friday. (Photo courtesy of Amy Fulmer)

The Amador Valley hockey team saw its playoff run come to an end with a 3-0 loss to California in the championship game in Dublin last Friday.

The Grizzlies held a one-goal lead for most of the match until adding two goals in the final period, while the Dons couldn't unlock the key to the Cal High defense or its net-minder, Justin Morkin.

Cal got on the board in the first period with a goal from Brian Adams, assisted by Mike Carranza, at the 4:05 mark.

The two teams were then locked into a scoreless battle until Adams put his second goal past Dons' goaltender Kevin Tieck at the 12:19 mark of the third period -- with assists from Carranza and Will Kim.

Carranza added an empty-net goal in the final minute, assisted by Jake Miley, to clinch the 3-0 victory for his squad.

Both hometown mayors, Jerry Thorne from Pleasanton and Bill Clarkson from San Ramon, were on-hand at the Dublin Iceland rink for the championship game and opened the contest with the ceremonial puck drop.

On the season, Amador Valley's Jack Harker, Sam Chase and Devin Cox finished as the team's top three scorers. For Cal, the leading scorers on the year were Carranza, Adams and Kim.